University of Wolverhampton Design students showcase skills in national competition

‌University of Wolverhampton design students were selected to take part in a prestigious national competition at the London Boat Show.

William Morris and Richard Marshall were invited by Superyacht UK, an association within the British Marine Federation, to participate in a competition which tested hand drawing skills in yacht design.

They were among just eight students chosen from courses across the whole country. Richard, aged 21 and from Brierley Hill, and 20-year-old William, of Newcastle, were delighted to be selected, particularly as the other students were all from specialist transport or marine architecture courses.

William was runner-up and was highly commended for his entry. He said: “The Superyacht UK Design Competition was a fantastic opportunity to not only compete amongst other designers, but to gain knowledge within the affluent Superyacht industry, and primarily to collaborate and network with a variety of yacht design companies.”

The competition was designed to raise the importance of hand drawing skills within the industry – a skill which employers think is a dying art in today’s art and design graduates.

Ben Salter, Senior Lecturer in Interior and Product Design, said: “This prestigious competition focuses on traditional or conceptual hand drawn skills, and has given Richard and William the opportunity to gain valuable work experience with some of the world’s leading superyacht manufacturers.”

The intention was to also promote the industry as a career option for interior and product design graduates.

James Roy, Yacht Design Director of competition sponsor BMF Nigel Gee Ltd, said: “It was a pleasure to spend two days with these bright, creative and above all else enthusiastic young designers. Their commitment was evident from the start and with a mix of backgrounds the final results covered a broad range of creative ideas.
“I have no doubt that they will all go far in their chosen fields and commend them all for the effort they put into their work.”

ENDS

For media inquiries please contact Emma Pugh in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.

Photo shows William Morris with his work.
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